15. Planeleaf Willow-Wolf Willow-Bog Birch Ecological Series
Table 15-1. Full names and short names for the ecological types in the Planeleaf Willow-Wolf Willow-Bog Birch Ecological Series. Ecological Type Plant Association Code Name Code Short Name Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Deep to very deep alluvial Planeleaf willow/water sedge– RI4 Cryaquolls and Borohemists–U-shaped or flat floodplains, draw SAPL2/CAAQ Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms bottoms, benches, slumps, and swales, > 9,500 ft Wolf-planeleaf willows/water sedge–Deep alluvial Cryaquolls and SAWO- Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold RI5 Cryohemists–Flat to U-shaped floodplains and terraces, SAPL2/CAAQ deep alluvial soils–Bottoms > 9,500 ft Shrubby cinquefoil/Idaho fescue–Moderately deep colluvial to Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or RI6 alluvial clayey Cryoborolls–Linear to concave to U-shaped PEFL15/FEID alluvial soils–Parks and swales footslopes and draw bottoms, 9,000-10,800 ft Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold– Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cryaquepts–Concave RI7 SAPL2/PSLE Cold, wet young soils–High footslopes and lower backslopes, > 11,500 ft bottoms
The Salix planifolia ssp. monica-Salix wolfii have high bank stability and can withstand floods Series is described as new here and is based on the without damage (Hansen and others 1988-1989). Salix planifolia series of Hess (1981), Hess and In good condition, such sites provide great natural Wasser (1982), Komárková (1986), and Kittel and watershed protection and keep water in the stream others (1994), and on the Salix planifolia Alliance that would not otherwise be there in late season. of Kittel and others (1996). It is also based on the Salix wolfii Series of Kittel and others (1994) and Table 15-2. Climate and Water the Salix wolfii Alliance of Kittel (1996), and Characteristic Value Reference includes the Betula glandulosa Series and part of 710 mm/yr the Pentaphylloides floribunda Series of (650 to 750 mm/yr) Phillips 1977, Precipitation zone Komárková (1986). 28 in/yr Cooper 1990 Stands are sometimes long and narrow, (25-29 in/yr) confined along a stream, or they may be large and Soil pH pH 6.4 (5.6-7.1) 159.0 cm (116-165 cm) isodiametric where water spreads on benches. Peat depth 62.6 in (46-65 cm) Stands are easily delineated on aerial photos. 12.3°C (7-18°F) Johnson 1996 Water temperature Vegetation 54.1°F (45-64°F) +3.0 cm (+0 – +6 cm) Water table depth Early seral stages often lack willows or support +1.2 in (+0 – +2 in) only sparse willows, and are usually dominated by shrubby cinquefoil, Baltic rush, Kentucky Sites dominated by shrubby cinquefoil bluegrass, or dandelion (Youngblood and others (Pentaphylloides floribunda) occur where the 1985-1989, Girard and others 1995). water table has dropped in recent years (to around Later seral stages are dominated by the short 1 m below surface in summer), often because of shrubs planeleaf willow, Wolf willow, or bog birch, removal of willows and soil compaction by in a dense canopy layer with few openings except herbivores (Hansen and others 1988). Such sites near streams (Kittel and others 1994). The two have less bank stability, lower forage and browse willows occur sometimes one at a time, sometimes production, and less watershed protection together, but bog birch rarely occurs without one or capability, and many have been invaded by riparian both willows. Planeleaf willow occurs on wetter weeds (Kentucky bluegrass, dandelion, etc.) and sites (Girard and others 1995), or on colder sites, dryland species from adjacent uplands (Idaho such as small, cold-air drainage basins. fescue, Thurber fescue, etc.). In the Northern Rockies, Wolf willow often Replanting planeleaf or Wolf willow from rooted occurs with taller willow species such as Booth cuttings can restore willow cover to a depleted site willow (SABO2) or taller planeleaf willow (Salix to improve wildlife cover and browse, bank planifolia ssp. planifolia; Girard and others 1995). stability, and fisheries habitat (Hansen and others In the UGB, Wolf willow is almost exclusively an 1988-1989). Stands dominated by shrubby associate of shorter planeleaf willow (ssp. monica), cinquefoil (Pentaphylloides floribunda) do not as taller planeleaf willow is not found here. respond well to burning or herbicide treatment of the cinquefoil (Youngblood and others 1985). These short shrubs are covered with snow much of the year. Sites with good willow and sedge cover
410 Disturbance decreases willow cover, and Big-game browsing and grazing on these sites is encourages drier-site species such as tufted usually light because sites are snow-covered and hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Kentucky inaccessible to animals during the winter. bluegrass (Girard and others 1985). Insects and Waterfowl sometimes use the sites for nesting and diseases in this series are not documented. cover, and eat the seeds of water sedge (Hansen and others 1989ab). Moose and deer may use these Fire Management sites in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho (Youngblood Burning stands of water sedge (Carex aquatilis) and others 1985, Padgett and others 1989). can temporarily increase productivity, but burning Some sites were formed through the activities of is usually not possible until late summer or fall beaver, which may still inhabit them. when shoots dry (Hansen and others 1989ab). Fires cause dramatic increases in bluejoint reedgrass Bighorn sheep may use stands in their high- (Calamagrostis canadensis) where it is present elevation ranges. Such stands are components of (Hansen and others 1988). bighorn range, which are not assignable to summer or winter ranges in the Buffalo Peaks area, Range and Wildlife Management northeast of the UGB. Considerable bighorn Livestock forage production is moderate on sites summer range is in the alpine zone, above these in good condition, to low on sites in poor condition. sites. Willows (Salix), sedges (Carex), and tufted Short growing seasons and wet soils limit livestock hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) are significant use to summer and fall (see Hansen and others parts of bighorn sheep diet (Shepherd 1975). 1989ab). The number of days sites are grazed in the Heavily sodded banks overhanging streams late and hot seasons should be limited (Myers provide excellent cover for fish. Willows enhance 1989). Deferred and rest-rotation systems favor fish habitat through streambank protection, cover, sedges over willows (Hansen and others 1989ab). and thermal protection (Hansen and others Sedges can tolerate heavy grazing, particularly 1989ab). Earlier seral stages, which lack willows or when upland species are cured or when livestock sedges or both, are of considerably less value to distribution is poor. Heavy grazing by cattle may fish. open the shrub canopy, encouraging invasion by dandelions, exotic clovers, and dryland species. Recreation, Roads & Trails, Scenery Livestock may use the riparian areas for water, Sites are generally not suitable for road and trail requiring protection of the stream and its banks, or construction. Level crossings could be riprapped or livestock-control barriers. stabilized with rock, or the riparian area could be Heavy grazing by livestock compacts soil, lowers bridged. Fills require culverts, and should have the ground water table, contributes to streambank high rock content. Winter use for snowmobiling or instability, reduces willow and sedge cover and skiing has little effect. Site and watershed damage density, and encourages invasion by shrubby may occur in the early spring and late fall-early cinquefoil, Kentucky bluegrass, dandelion, and winter, when the sites are still wet. dryland plants. Protracted heavy grazing eliminates Off-road vehicles (ORV) can cause extensive willows and sedges, sometimes permanently, which damage in the summer and worse damage in the may cause hummocking (Girard and others 1995). early spring and late fall when sites are the wettest. Livestock grazing favors Wolf willow over planeleaf ORV use (except in deep winter) should be willow (Kittel and Lederer 1993, Kittel and others discouraged. 1994, Girard and others 1995), whereas wetter sites may support more planeleaf willow (Girard and Scenic values can be high, especially when sites others 1995). Continued yearly grazing may result are in good condition. Wildlife-viewing values can in soil compaction, erosion, and bank degradation be high (Hansen and others 1989ab). These sites (Padgett and others 1989, Kittel and Lederer 1993, are not resistant to trampling, and moderate to Kittel and others 1994). heavy use by people fishing can lead to compaction and riparian deterioration. Rutting can be severe from campers, hikers, pack stock, or fishers (Hansen and others 1989ab).
411 Key to Ecological Types in the Planeleaf Willow Series *. Wet graminoids include water sedge (CAAQ), beaked sedge (CAUT), short-beaked sedge (CASI2), soft leaved sedge (CADI6), bluejoint reedgrass (CACA4), and tufted hairgrass (DECE). †. Moist graminoids include Bebb’s sedge (CABE2), elk sedge (CAGE2), blunt sedge (CAOB4), meadow sedge (CAPR7), and Kentucky bluegrass (POPR). 1. Planeleaf willow (SAPL2) or Wolf willow (SAWO) present and >3% cover. Other willows may be present as well. Shrubby cinquefoil (PEFL15) or sagebrush species (ARTRV, ARAR8) may be present. Wet graminoids* sometimes conspicuous and >20% cover. Moist graminoids† sometimes conspicuous as well ...... (2) 1. Planeleaf willow and Wolf willow usually absent, sometimes <1% cover. Dominated by shrubby cinquefoil or one of the sagebrush species, the aggregate cover of cinquefoil and sagebrush usually >10% cover. Wet graminoids* absent; the understory dominated by moist graminoids†...... RI6
2. Wolf willow usually absent, rarely present, always <5% cover ...... (3) 2. Wolf willow present and conspicuous, always >5% cover...... RI5
3. Soils Cryaquepts or Cryaquents, in very cold landscape positions. Soil temperature regime Cryic, bordering on Pergelic. Wet graminoids* usually absent. Sites often bordering Alpine ecological types or high-Subalpine grasslands. Elevations >11,500 ft...... RI7 3. Soils Cryaquolls or Borohemists, in cold landscape positions. Soil temperature regime Cryic. Wet graminoids* always present, often conspicuous and >5% cover. Elevations 9,500-12,200 ft...... RI4 Table 15-3. Characteristics of Ecological Types within Ecological Series 15 in the Upper Gunnison Basin. Numbers are shown in form Average (Minimum-Maximum)
Cover, %: Trees Total Live Avg. Aspect, Surface: Shrubs Cover, % Code °M (r) Soil Depth, cm Coarse, % Gramin. No. Species
Short Name No. Samples Elevation, ft Slope, % Coarse, % Mollic, cm Bare, % Forbs TLC/NS, % RI4 0 (0-1) 208.5 (121.5-328.8) Planeleaf willow/water 10,353 57 (0.45) 58 (31-70) 2 (0-15) 66 (4-186) 19 31 (11-46) 27 (12-49) sedge–Cold deep alluvial (9,540-12,040) 2 (0-7) 28 (0-70) 7 (0-75) 93 (23-147) 8.7 (3.5-17.4) soils–Bottoms 49 (8-113) RI5 0 (0-1) 259.8 (176.5-332.5) Wolf and planeleaf 9,895 161 (0.28) 78 (60-100) 0 (0-15) 101 (40-167) 14 14 (0-27) 24 (13-35) willows–Cold deep alluvial (9,510-10,650) 2 (1-4) 53 (22-90) 38 (0-100) 99 (25-158) 11.6 (7.5-25.1) soils–Bottoms 58 (7-105) RI6 1 (0-6) 184.3 (110.8-311.0) Shrubby cinquefoil– 9,768 207 (0.20) 54 (52-56) 5 (0-18) 36 (2-75) 10 42 (32-53) 26 (12-41) Colluvial or alluvial soils– (9,080-10,760) 12 (3-47) 25 (22-28) 18 (0-100) 88 (37-170) 8.6 (3.0-19.8) Parks and swales 59 (17-110) RI7 0 (0-0) 11,963 154.8 (139.8-169.8) Planeleaf willow/marsh- 207 (0.20) 33 (20-46) 1 (1-1) 100 (100-100) 2 (11,640- * 28 (26-29) marigold–Cold, wet young 4 (3-4) 0 (0-0) 5 (5-5) 8 (1-16) 12,285) 5.7 (4.8-6.5) soils–High bottoms 47 (39-54) *. Not sampled.
412 RI4 SAPL2/CAAQ PLANELEAF WILLOW/WATER SEDGE–COLD DEEP ALLUVIAL SOILS–BOTTOMS Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Deep to very deep alluvial Cryaquolls and Borohemists– U-shaped or flat floodplains, draw bottoms, benches, slumps, and swales, > 9,500 ft
A.Potential (Climax)
Water Table
Old Channels
Riparian Area
B. Midseral
Water Table Old Channels
Ri pari an Area
C. Early Seral
Old Channels Water Table
Riparian Area
Figure 15-1. Three different cross-sections of vegetation structure of Planeleaf willow/water sedge– Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms, representing successively earlier seral stages.
Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils– alluvial soils–Bottoms is a very common type on Bottoms, which occurs on somewhat deeper, less- Subalpine floodplains and other wet sites. In the coarse soils, and includes Wolf willow (SAWO) as a Gunnison Basin, it occurs on subalpine streamsides codominant with planeleaf willow. Planeleaf and wet flats. This type is the classic Subalpine willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils– short-willow riparian community found throughout Bottoms is also related to Planeleaf willow/marsh- the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. marigold–Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms, Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial which occurs at higher elevations on shallower soils–Bottoms is a remarkably uniform type, Cryaquepts, and lacks water sedge. Planeleaf considering that its range stretches from southern willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils– Canada to northern New Mexico, and it is very Bottoms is also related to Shrubby cinquefoil– common within that range. It is one of our most Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales, which identifiable types. occurs primarily in deep rainshadows on coarser Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep soils, and lacks willows entirely. alluvial soils–Bottoms is characterized by planeleaf Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils– willow (SAPL2) and water sedge (CAAQ). Marsh- Parks and swales, here treated as a separate marigold (PSLE) is also common in many sites; see “ecological type,” could represent an earlier seral Table 15-7 for common species names and codes. stage (Fig. 15-1B) of Planeleaf willow/water Other distinguishing features include location on sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Because alluvial flats and streamsides, short willows the shrubby cinquefoil community occurs in (planeleaf willow), bog birch (BEGL), and Cryaquolls rainshadows, it is subject to a dry climate in which or Histosols. evaporation is significant and willow stands are Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep susceptible to reduction in water tables. Shrubby alluvial soils–Bottoms is related to Wolf and cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and
413 swales sites all occur in parks and swales where in spring and remains high enough in summer and considerable, concentrated livestock grazing has fall to keep the small, lowest microsites wet all year. occurred in past decades. Heavy grazing probably In late midseral to potential natural community increased the amount of bare soil and removed stages, willow cover is >65% across the site, and is soil-binding species such as willows and wet continuous except in the wettest patches, which are sedges, resulting in an abrupt drop in the water uniformly dominated by water sedge, reedgrass, table, which probably eliminated the remaining and other wet-site plants. Sagebrush, cinquefoil, willows. Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, and dandelion are Succession usually involves vegetation, land, usually absent. The water table is high throughout water, and soil. In this cold climate, these sites are the year, with standing water in lowest microsites usually distinguishable as riparian communities through the growing season. even at early seral stages. Spruce riparian forests adjoin these In very early seral to early seral stages, there are communities on higher-gradient sites upstream no shrubs, or dryland shrubs such as mountain big and downstream. Cold, moist spruce-fir forests sagebrush (ARTRV) or silver sagebrush (ARCA13) occur on adjacent steep slopes with much better- dominate, with an understory of exotic bottomland drained soils. Thurber fescue grasslands border species such as Kentucky bluegrass, dandelion, these sites on deeper, loamier, better-drained Baltic rush, native dryland grasses, and assorted uplands. dryland forbs. The water table is usually low in Horizontal obstruction varies from low to high, summer and fall. In early midseral to midseral averaging moderately low; see Table 15-4. Deer and stages, willow cover is patchy (<50% across the elk use these sites sparingly, and only as summer site), with a mix of willows and cinquefoil. There is range. These sites are never used in the winter, little to no reproduction of planeleaf or Wolf even mild ones. Deer and elk use of all community willow. Small patches of water sedge, tufted types is moderate during spring through fall, hairgrass, reedgrass, and moist-site forbs occur in mostly for overnight stays. the low bottom microsites, but sagebrush, cinquefoil, bluegrass, dandelion, and dryland forbs occur on higher microsites. The water table is high
A late seral planeleaf willow/water sedge site (Community Type C) near Slumgullion Pass. This type occurs throughout the whole Rocky Mountain chain. The foreground is a recent gravel bar that is naturally revegetating slowly. Within the stand in the middleground, cover by planeleaf willow is almost complete, with several hidden channels that formerly held the creek or part of it. Planeleaf willow 93% cover, bluejoint reedgrass 48%, Rocky Mountain hemlock-parsely 33%, soft leaved sedge 25%, water sedge 24%, Bebb sedge 13%, bog birch 11%, marsh- marigold 9%. Coarse Fragments Cover = 0%, Total Live Cover = 166%, Coarse Fragments in Soil = 17. Soil sampled as a Typic Cryosaprist, Euic. Slumgullion Pass Quadrangle, elevation 11,040 ft, 7% 086° (E) slope. July 20, 1993.
414 Summary of Ecological Type Characteristics 1. Explanation of symbols in Appendix A. Percentages in [brackets] indicate the percentage of plots sampled that have that characteristic.
NUMBER OF SAMPLES 19, soil descriptions from 8 of these (total 19) ELEVATION 10,353 ft (9,540-12,040 ft); 3,155 m (2,908-3,670 m) AVERAGE ASPECT 57°M (r = 0.45) LITHOLOGY A wide variety, with granite [36%], breccia [18%], and shale [18%] leading. FORMATIONS¹ A wide variety LANDFORMS Predominantly floodplains and draws [62%], with some benches and slumps [19%] and others SLOPE POSITIONS Usually in bottoms SLOPE SHAPES U-shaped [53%] to flat [32%] SLOPE ANGLE 2.4% (0-7%) SOIL PARENT MATERIAL Mostly alluvium [72%], some colluvium [17%] COARSE FRAGMENTS 0.7% (0-2%) cover on surface, 31.2% (11-46%) by volume in soil SOIL DEPTH 58 cm (31-70 cm); 22.9 in (12-28 in) MOLLIC THICKNESS 28 cm (0-70 cm); 11.0 in (0-28 in) TEXTURE Organic [56%] to silty (silty clay loam-silty loam-silty clay [44%]) SOIL CLASSIFICATION Cryaquolls [60%] or Borohemists [30%] TOTAL LIVE COVER 208.5% (121.5-328.8%) NUMBER OF SPECIES 26.5 (12-49) TOTAL LIVE COVER/NO. SPECIES 8.7% (3.5-17.4%) CLIMATE Cold, wet to moderately wet lower Subalpine climate on sites in good condition; in earlier seral stages, microclimate can be cool, moderately dry, as the water table drops and the soil surface is less shaded (Fig. 15-1). WATER Climax sites are ponded seasonally or throughout the growing season. At earlier seral stages, the water table is lower (Fig. 15-1). The water table level can be changed by management, usually by manipulating the water-holding and sediment-holding capacities of the vegetation on site and along the water course.
Table 15-4. Wildlife values (relative to the whole UGB) for the principal wildlife species using Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Mule Deer Elk CT Season–Preference Season–Preference Winter, Any–Low Winter, Any–Low All Spring/Fall– Moderate (Overnight) Spring/Fall– Moderate (Overnight)
415 Key to Community Types 1. Planeleaf willow dominant, >50% cover...... (2) 1. Planeleaf willow <40% cover ...... (4)
2. Water sedge prominent, >15% cover. Total wet sedge cover (CAAQ, CAUT) >45%...... A 2. Water sedge always present, but <15% cover. Total wet sedge cover <45%...... (3)
3. Bog birch codominant with planeleaf willow, >10% cover ...... C 3. Bog birch absent to minor, <5% cover ...... B
4. Planeleaf willow always present but <10% cover. Water sedge sometimes >40% cover...... E 4. Planeleaf willow >10% cover. Water sedge absent to abundant, but always <40% cover...... (5)
5. Bog birch codominant with planeleaf willow, >10% cover...... C 5. Bog birch absent to minor, <5% cover ...... D Descriptions of Community Types A Planeleaf willow-taller willows-water sedge is dominated by planeleaf willow at >55% cover. Taller willows are common associates, such as Geyer willow (SAGE2), blue willow (SADR), or serviceberry willow (SAMO2). Total willow cover is >75%. Water sedge dominates the understory, sometimes with beaked sedge (CAUT); total cover both wet sedges is >65%. B Planeleaf willow-marsh-marigold-water sedge is dominated by planeleaf willow at >50% cover, usually without other willows. Water sedge is always present with <15% cover. Characteristic understory species are other sedges, bluejoint reedgrass (CACA4), or marsh-marigold (PSLE). C Planeleaf willow-moist sedges-Baltic rush-moist forbs is dominated by planeleaf willow with 15-98% cover, codominant with bog birch (BEGL) at >10% cover. Usually no other willows are present. The understory is dominated by a variety of wet-to-moderately-wet-site sedges, such as water sedge, “cliff” sedge (CASC12), western sedge (CAOC2), soft leaved sedge (CADI6), or Bebb’s sedge (CABE2). Moist-to-wet-site forbs may also be prominent, such as Rocky Mountain hemlock-parsely (COSC2), mountain bluebells (MECI3), or marsh- marigold (PSLE). D Water sedge-planeleaf willow-marsh-marigold Planeleaf willow cover is 10-20%; sometimes small quantities of other willows are present. Water sedge is prominent at >10%. Beaked sedge is sometimes prominent, as is tufted hairgrass (DECE). E Sedges-sparse planeleaf willow-yarrow-Baltic rush-dandelion is dominated by water sedge, tufted hairgrass, and Baltic rush (JUARA4). Planeleaf willow is always present, but at <10% cover. Table 15-5. Community types within Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Obstruct’n %: s
e Coarseness, Cover, %: Prod.¹, 1.5-2.0 m % Surface Avg Trees No. Species lb/ac/yr 1.0-1.5 m 0.5-1.0 m
sampl Depth, cm Coarse, % Layr Shrubs Total Live Shrubs Community Elevation, ft Mollic Bare, % Layer Height, Cvr Graminoids Cover, % Gramin. 0.0-0.5 m Type No. Slope, % Depth, cm Seral Stage Lr m % Forbs TLC/NS, % Forbs Total<2m A. Planeleaf S1 2.5 (1.8-3.0) 21.6 0 (0-0) 43 (0-85) willow-taller 10,058 (9,620-10,700) 34 (25-42) 1 (1-1) S2 1.2 (0.6-2.5) 70.9 113 (79-186) 23 (12-36) 1618-2223 50 (10-90) willows-water 4 1.5 (0-5) 67 (63-70) 1 (1-9) GF 0.6 (0.0-1.6) 92.8 100 (84-127) 253 (181-329) 695-1234 100(100-100) sedge 67 (63-70) LS S3 0.4 (0.0-0.6) 13.7 38 (8-84) 12.2 (9.1-17.4) 20-219 100(100-100) M 0.0 23.6 73 (53-94) B. Planeleaf S1 Missing M 0 (0-0) 0 willow-marsh- 10,963 (9,870-12,040) 28 (11-46) 1 (0-2) S2 1.0 (0.4-1.7) 48.0 80 (66-95) 31 (19-49) 1311-1900 0 marigold-water 4 1.1 (0-3) 54 (31-70) 4 (2-5) GF 0.4 (0.0-1.2) 89.3 58 (23-86) 227 (156-269) 141-729 20 sedge 21 (0-50) LS S3 0.4 (0.0-0.6) 35.5 88 (37-113) 7.7 (5.5-9.9) 71-395 100 M 0.0 23.7 30 C. Planeleaf S1 Missing M 0 (0-1) 0 willow-moist 10,548 (9,540-11,040) 40 (34-45) 1 (1-2) S2 0.6 (0.4-0.9) 78.2 89 (67-104) 22 (13-34) 1346-2015 0 sedges-Baltic 4 4.5 (2-7) 65 (62-70) 8 (3-12) GF 0.3 (0.0-1.0) 89.2 89 (28-147) 215 (166-295) 171-1415 15 rush-moist 19 (0-31) LM S3 0.4 (0.0-0.7) 61.1 37 (12-77) 10.5 (8.7-13.0) 28-183 75 forbs M 0.0 44.9 23 D. Water S1 Missing M 0 (0-0) sedge- 10,170 (9,920-10,390) 19 (14-24) 9 (1-9) S2 0.9 (0.3-1.9) 75.0 17 (13-22) 31 (19-46) 142-236 planeleaf 4 2.3 (0-4) 56 (41-70) 5 (1-18) GF 0.6 (0.0-1.0) 80.6 118 (72-146) 178 (160-208) 558-1407 * willow-marsh- 14 (11-16) LM-LS S3 Missing M 43 (23-72) 6.5 (3.5-9.5) 52-162 marigold M 0.0 22.1 E. Sedges- 25 sparse 41 (41-41) 1 (1-1) 0 (0-0) 27 (18-31) 46-899 25 planeleaf 3 9,920 (9,600-10,400) 38 (38-38) 18 (11-25) * 20 (4-51) 157 (121-221) 845-993 40 willow-yarrow- 2.5 (0-4) 26 (26-26) EM 101 (95-107) 6.1 (3.9-7.1) 50-127 80 Baltic rush- 36 (21-63) 43 dandelion *. Unknown: measurements were not taken in this CT.
416
Table 15-6. Resource Values for Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Resource values were calculated from the numbers in Table 15-5, relative to the whole UGB. The numbers in this table can be translated: 0 = Very Low, 1 = Low, 2 = Moderately Low, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Moderately High, 5 = High, and 6 = Very High. Community Type Resource Value A B C D E Potential Cattle Forage Production 3 1 2-3 2 1-2 Grazing Suitability 4 1 3 2 2 Developed Recreation 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 Dispersed Recreation 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 Scenic 1 1 1 1 1 Road & Trail Stability 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 Construction Suitability 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 Deer & Elk Hiding Cover 1 1 1 1 1 Deer & Elk Forage & Browse 2 1 2 1 1 Sage Grouse Cover 5 4 4-5 3-4 4 Sage Grouse Lek Potential 2-3 2 2-3 2 2-3 Sage Grouse Nesting/Brood Potential 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 Sage Grouse Summer Potential 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 Need for Watershed Protection 2 2 2 3 3 Soil Stability 4 3 3 3 3 Risk of Soil Loss-Natural 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 Risk of Soil Loss-Management 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Range 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Wildlife 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 Resource Cost of Management 3 3 3 3 3 Cost of Rehabilitation 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
2800 2600 2400 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200
Production, lb/ac/yr 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 Sum of cover by life form
S G F TLC
Figure 15-2. Relationship of cover by growth form and production. This is the SAPLSAWO (SAPL2-SAWO) model. S = shrubs, G = graminoids, F = forbs, and TLC = Total live cover.
417 Table 15-7. Common Species in Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms, where Characteristic cover > 10% or Constancy > 20%. "–" means that the species is not found. Dead cover is not listed. Ccv = Characteristic Cover, Con = Constancy. If Avc = Average Cover, then these are related using the formula Avc = Ccv•100%/Con.
Community Type A B C D E Ccv(Con) Ccv(Con) Ccv(Con) Ccv(Con) Ccv(Con) Code Species N = 4 4 4 4 3 Common Name TREES PIEN Picea engelmannii T (25) T (25) T (50) – – – – Engelmann spruce SHRUBS BEGL Betula glandulosa – – – – 27 (75) – – – – bog birch PEFL15 Pentaphylloides floribunda 6 (25) 23 (25) 15 (25) 7 (25) 11 (67) shrubby cinquefoil SADR Salix drummondiana 21 (50) – – – – – – – – blue willow SAGE2 Salix geyeriana 79 (25) – – – – T (50) 22 (33) Geyer willow SAPL2 Salix planifolia 72(100) 75(100) 61(100) 14(100) 5(100) planeleaf willow VACE Vaccinium cespitosum – – – – 10 (25) – – – – dwarf bilberry GRAMINOIDS AGROS2 Agrostis – – – – – – 20 (25) – – bentgrass CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis 23 (75) 15 (75) 23 (75) 37 (75) – – bluejoint reedgrass CAAQ Carex aquatilis 46(100) 7(100) 13 (50) 25(100) 53 (67) water sedge CAAT3 Carex athrostachya – – 11 (25) – – – – – – slenderbeak sedge CADI6 Carex disperma – – – – 24 (25) – – – – soft leaved sedge CAEB Carex ebenea – – 37 (25) – – – – – – ebony sedge CAEG Carex egglestonii – – – – T (25) 19 (50) – – Eggleston sedge CAMI7 Carex microptera T (25) – – – – – – 47 (33) smallwing sedge CAOC2 Carex occidentalis – – – – 33 (25) – – – – western sedge CASC12 Carex scopulorum – – – – 42 (50) – – – – cliff sedge CAUT Carex utriculata 48 (50) T (25) – – 34 (50) – – beaked sedge DECE Deschampsia cespitosa 6 (50) 20 (75) 12 (75) 24 (75) 14 (67) tufted hairgrass ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 24 (25) – – – – – – – – creeping spike-rush JUARA4 Juncus arcticus ssp. ater – – – – 63 (25) T (25) 48 (67) Baltic rush PHCO9 Phleum commutatum T (50) 4 (50) T (25) 4 (25) T (33) alpine timothy POPR Poa pratensis 6 (25) 4 (50) – – 13 (50) 2 (67) Kentucky bluegrass PORE Poa reflexa – – 12 (25) – – – – – – nodding bluegrass FORBS ACLA5 Achillea lanulosa 1 (50) 8 (75) T (50) 5 (50) 2(100) western yarrow CACO6 Cardamine cordifolia 4 (50) 26 (25) 3 (25) 5 (75) – – heartleaf bittercress CLRH2 Clementsia rhodantha 5 (25) 2 (75) 3 (50) T (25) 2 (33) rose crown COSC2 Conioselinum scopulorum 11 (50) 7 (50) 33 (25) 1 (75) T (33) Rocky Mtn. hemlock-parsley ERIGE2 Erigeron 1 (25) – – 7 (50) 8 (25) 9 (33) fleabane ERPE3 Erigeron peregrinus – – 14 (25) – – – – – – peregrine fleabane FRVI Fragaria virginiana 12 (25) 1 (25) 1 (25) – – 3 (33) Virginia strawberry GASE6 Galium septentrionale 6 (25) 1 (25) T (25) 1 (50) T (33) northern bedstraw GEMA4 Geum macrophyllum 2 (25) 6 (25) – – 1 (25) 6 (33) large-leaved avens MECI3 Mertensia ciliata 1 (50) 10 (75) 11 (25) 5 (25) – – mountain bluebells PAPS5 Packera pseudaurea – – 15 (25) – – – – – – golden groundsel PEGR2 Pedicularis groenlandica 1 (50) 9 (25) – – 1 (50) – – elephantella PODI2 Potentilla diversifolia 1 (25) 2 (75) T (50) – – – – varileaf cinquefoil PSLE Psychrophila leptosepala 44 (25) 27(100) 21 (50) 12(100) 17 (67) elkslip marsh-marigold SETR Senecio triangularis – – 9 (50) T (25) 11 (25) – – arrowleaf groundsel STLO2 Stellaria longipes – – T (25) 2 (50) – – T (33) long-stalked stitchwort STUM Stellaria umbellata – – 2 (50) – – 1 (50) – – umbellate starwort TAOF Taraxacum officinale 2 (50) 3 (25) 2 (25) 4 (50) 1(100) common dandelion VENU2 Veronica nutans T (25) 2 (50) T (25) – – – – American alpine speedwell VIOLA Viola 8 (25) 4 (25) 2 (25) T (50) 1 (33) violet GROUND COVER .BARESO bare soil 1 (25) 4 (75) 7 (50) 5(100) 18 (67) .LITTER litter and duff 85(100) 88(100) 93(100) 87(100) 76(100) GRAVEL gravel 0.2-10 cm – – – – 1 .COBBLE cobble 10-25 cm – – – – – – 1 (25) – – .STONES stone > 25 cm – – 1 (50) 2 (25) 9 (25) – – .MOSSON moss on soil 18(100) 17 (75) 45 (50) 27 (50) – – LICHENS lichens on soil – 8 58 1 22
418 RI5 SAWO-SAPL2/CAAQ WOLF AND PLANELEAF WILLOWS–COLD DEEP ALLUVIAL SOILS–BOTTOMS Wolf-planeleaf willows/water sedge–Deep alluvial Cryaquolls and Cryohemists– Flat to U-shaped floodplains and terraces, > 9,500 ft
A.Potential (Climax)
Water Table Old Channels
Riparian Area
B. Midseral
Water Table Old Channels
Riparian Area
C. Early Seral
Old Channels Water Table
Riparian Area
Figure 15-3. Cross-section of vegetation structure of three stages of Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms.
Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and soils–Bottoms is a common type on Subalpine swales, which occurs primarily in deep floodplains and terraces, especially where there is rainshadows on coarser soils, and lacks willows significant cold air drainage. In the Gunnison entirely. Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial Basin, it occurs on Subalpine streamsides and bogs. soils–Parks and swales may represents an early This type is apparently unknown elsewhere, seral stage (Fig. 15-4) of Planeleaf willow/water although it might be expected in northwestern sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Colorado or northeastern Utah. Wolf and planeleaf The shrubby cinquefoil community occurs in willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms is rainshadows with dry climates, where evaporation characterized by Wolf willow (SAWO), planeleaf is significant and willow stands are more willow (SAPL2), water sedge (CAAQ), and tufted susceptible to reduction in water tables. The sites of hairgrass (DECE); see Table 15-11 for common Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils– species names and codes. Other distinguishing Parks and swales are in parks and swales where features of this type include location on poorly- considerable, concentrated livestock grazing has drained alluvial bottoms and bogs, short willows, occurred in past decades, which increased the and Cryaquolls or Histosols. amount of bare soil, and removed soil-binding The plant association Salix planifolia-Salix species such as willows and wet sedges. The result wolfii/Carex aquatilis is described as new here. was an abrupt drop in water table which killed the Salix planifolia-Salix wolfii/Carex aquatilis phase remaining willows. Betula glandulosa is also described as new here. Succession usually involves vegetation, land, Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial water, and soil. In this cold climate, sites are soils–Bottoms is related to Planeleaf willow/water usually distinguishable as riparian communities sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms, which even at early seral stages. In very early seral to early occurs at slightly higher elevations, on slightly seral stages, shrubs are absent, or dryland shrubs shallower, coarser soils, and lacks Wolf willow. such as mountain big sagebrush or silver sagebrush Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep are dominant with exotic bottomland species such alluvial soils–Bottoms is also related to Shrubby as Kentucky bluegrass, dandelion, Baltic rush,
419 native dryland grasses, and assorted dryland forbs. standing water in the lowest microsites through the The water table is usually low in summer and fall. growing season. In early midseral to midseral stages, patchy Spruce riparian forests border this ecological willow cover (<50% across the site) dominates, type on higher-gradient sites upstream and composed of a mix of willows and cinquefoil. There downstream. Cold, moist spruce-fir forests occur is little to no reproduction of planeleaf or Wolf on adjacent steep slopes with much better-drained willow. Small patches of water sedge, tufted soils. Thurber fescue grasslands adjoin this type on hairgrass, reedgrass, and moist-site forbs occur in deeper, loamier, better-drained uplands. low bottom microsites, but higher microsites Although technically forage for cattle is support sagebrush, cinquefoil, bluegrass, abundant here, the sites are seldom grazed except dandelion, and dryland forbs. The water table is where there is heavy grazing pressure nearby. The high in spring and remains high enough in summer sites are too wet, and there are too many holes in and fall to keep the small, lowest microsites wet all old channels for cattle. Horizontal obstruction year. In late midseral to potential natural varies from moderately high to very high. Deer and community stages, willow cover exceeds 65% elk are rarely seen in these stands, probably across the site and is continuous except in the because of the number of pits caused by old wettest patches, which are uniformly dominated by channels, but most stands could be good moose water sedge, reedgrass, and other wet-site plants. habitat. The sites are always under snow in winter. Sagebrush, cinquefoil, Kentucky bluegrass, Deer and elk use of all community types is very low quackgrass, and dandelion are usually absent. The in the winter and low during spring through fall for water table is high throughout the year, with forage, browse and cover.
A mixed planeleaf willow-Wolf willow/water sedge site, along the A closer view of a Wolf willow-bog birch/water sedge site. The banks of the Taylor River in upper Taylor Park. Wolf willow 93% ground is completely covered. Wolf willow 50% cover, bog birch cover, water sedge 48%, bluejoint reedgrass 43%, planeleaf willow 48%, shrubby cinquefoil 8%, water sedge 89%, various sedge 8%. Coarse Fragments Cover = 0%, Total Live Cover = 279%, species 19%. Soil sampled as a Fluvaquentic Cryohemist, Euic. Coarse Fragments in Soil = 9. Soil sampled as a Fluvaquentic Whitepine Quadrangle, elevation 9,740 ft, 2% 226° (SW) slope. Cryosaprist, Euic. Matchless Mountain Quadrangle, elevation 9,520 August 24, 1994. ft, 1.3% WSW-facing slope. September 12, 1990.
420 Summary of Ecological Type Characteristics 1. Explanation of symbols in Appendix A. Percentages in [brackets] indicate the percentage of plots sampled that have that characteristic.
NUMBER OF SAMPLES 14, soil descriptions from 10 of these (total 14) ELEVATION 9,895 ft (9,510-10,650 ft); 3,016 m (2,899-3,246 m) AVERAGE ASPECT 161°M (r = 0.28) LITHOLOGY A variety, with granite [45%], shale [18%] and limestone [18%] leading FORMATIONS¹ A variety LANDFORMS Floodplains [69%] and terraces [31%] SLOPE POSITIONS Bottoms SLOPE SHAPES Flat [85%] to U-shaped [15%] SLOPE ANGLE 1.9% (1-4%) SOIL PARENT MATERIAL All alluvial COARSE FRAGMENTS 0.4% (0-6%) cover on surface, 14.5% (0-27%) by volume in soil SOIL DEPTH 78 cm (60-100 cm); 30.6 in (24-39 in) MOLLIC THICKNESS 53 cm (22-90 cm); 21.0 in (9-35 in) TEXTURE Organic surface [54%] to silty [23%] to loamy [15%]; subsurface is a wide variety of textures SOIL CLASSIFICATION Cryaquolls [83%] and Cryohemists [17%] TOTAL LIVE COVER 259.8% (176.5-332.5%) NUMBER OF SPECIES 24.2 (13-35) TOTAL LIVE COVER/NO. SPECIES 11.6% (7.5-25.1%) CLIMATE Cold, wet to moderately wet lower Subalpine climate when sites are in good condition; in early seral stages, the microclimate is cool and moderately dry, when the water table drops and the soil surface is less shaded (Fig. 15-3). WATER At climax, sites are ponded seasonally or throughout the growing season. In early seral stages, the water table is lower (Fig. 15-3). The level of the water table changes with management, usually by manipulating the water-holding and sediment-holding capacities of the vegetation on site and along the water course.
Table 15-8. Resource Values for Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Resource values were calculated from the numbers in Table 15-9, relative to the whole UGB. The numbers in this table can be translated: 0 = Very Low, 1 = Low, 2 = Moderately Low, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Moderately High, 5 = High, and 6 = Very High. Community Type Resource Value A B Potential Cattle Forage Production 3-4 1-3 Grazing Suitability ns¹ ns¹ Wetland Yes Yes Riparian Area Yes Yes Developed Recreation ns¹ ns¹ Dispersed Recreation 0-1 0-1 Scenic 4-5 4-5 Road & Trail Stability 0-1 0-1 Construction Suitability ns¹ ns¹ Deer & Elk Hiding Cover 4-5 6 Deer & Elk Forage & Browse 3-4 3-4 Need for Watershed Protection 4-5 4-5 Soil Stability 0-1 0-1 Risk of Soil Loss-Natural 1-2 1-2 Risk of Soil Loss-Management 5-6 5-6 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Range ns¹ ns¹ Risk of Permanent Depletion-Wildlife 1-2 12 Resource Cost of Management 5-6 5-6 Cost of Rehabilitation 2-3 2-3 1. Not suitable.
A cold Wolf willow site (Community Type A). Wolf willow 53% cover, bog birch 48%, grayleaf willow 17%, water sedge 89%, various wet sedges 19%. Soil sampled as a Fluvaquentic Cryohemist, Euic. Whitepine Quadrangle, elevation 9,740 ft, 2% 226° (SW) bottom. August 24, 1994.
421 Key to Community Types 1. Total graminoid cover >90%. Water sedge usually dominating the understory, >20% cover, often >40%. Total sedge cover 45-120% ...... A 1. Total graminoid cover <90%. Water sedge absent to codominant with other graminoids, 0-30% cover. Total sedge cover 2-80% cover ...... B
Description of Community Types A Wolf willow-water sedge is dominated by Wolf willow at 10-90% cover, planeleaf willow is sometimes codominant at 0-55% cover, or bog birch is codominant (BEGL) at 0-50% cover. Water sedge usually dominates the understory with 20-98% cover, but is sometimes mixed with other sedge species; total sedge cover ranges from 45 to 120%. Tufted hairgrass is sometimes absent, up to 35% cover. B Wolf-planeleaf willows-tufted hairgrass is dominated by Wolf willow (5-95% cover) or planeleaf willow (Trace-70% cover); bog birch is usually absent. Water sedge is sometimes absent, up to 30% cover; total sedge cover ranges from 2 to 80%. Tufted hairgrass is always present from tract to 50% cover.
Table 15-9. Community types within Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Obstruct’n %: Cover, %: Prod.¹, 1.5-2.0 m es Coarseness, % Surface Avg Trees No. Species lb/ac/yr 1.0-1.5 m Depth, cm Coarse, % Layr Shrubs Total Live Shrubs 0.5-1.0 m Community sampl Elevation, ft Mollic Depth, Bare, % Layer Height, Cvr Graminoids Cover, % Gramin. 0.0-0.5 m Type No. Slope, % cm Seral Stage Lr m % Forbs TLC/NS, % Forbs Total<2m 28 (0-60) S1 1.0 (0.2-2.0) 70.9 0 (0-1) A. Wolf 14 (0-22) 6 (1-6) 23 (13-30) 1547-2202 52 (25-95) 9,944 (9,510-10,650) S2 0.5 (0.0-0.8) 25.8 110 (76-167) willow-water 10 81 (70-100) 100 (11-100) 272 (177-333) 599-1491 83 (70-100) 2.2 (1-4) GF 0.3 (0.0-1.0) 95.4 111 (76-158) sedge 50 (22-90) LS 12.8 (8.6-25.1) 17-341 100(100-100) M 0.0 17.5 49 (7-105) 66 (49-89) B. Wolf- S1 1.5 (0.8-2.5) 29.9 0 (0-0) 17 (8-27) * 27 (20-35) 593-1994 planeleaf 9,785 (9,620-10,110) S2 0.6 (0.0-1.6) 64.6 79 (40-102) 4 65 (60-70) 6 (2-10) 229 (208-277) 154-768 * willows-tufted 1.3 (1-2) GF 0.3 (0.0-1.3) 94.0 70 (25-89) 65 (60-70) LM 8.6 (7.5-11.0) 84-270 hairgrass M 0.0 7.7 80 (45-94) *. Unknown: measurements were not taken in this CT.
Table 15-10. Wildlife values (relative to the whole UGB) for the principal wildlife species using Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. Mule Deer Elk CT Season–Preference Season–Preference Winter, Any– Very Low Winter, Any– Very Low All Spring/Fall– Low (Forage, Browse, Cover) Spring/Fall– Low (Forage, Browse, Cover)
Table 15-11. Common Species in Wolf and planeleaf willows–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms, where Characteristic cover > 10% or Constancy > 20%. "–" means that the species is not found. Dead cover is not listed. Ccv = Characteristic Cover, Con = Constancy. If Avc = Average Cover, then these are related using the formula Avc = Ccv•100%/Con. Community Type A B Ccv (Con) Ccv (Con) Code Species N = 10 4 Common Name SHRUBS BEGL Betula glandulosa 20 (50) T (25) bog birch PEFL15 Pentaphylloides floribunda 5 (80) 15 (75) shrubby cinquefoil SADR Salix drummondiana 2 (20) 7 (25) blue willow SAGL Salix glauca 17 (10) – – grayleaf willow SAMO2 Salix monticola 33 (40) 9 (50) serviceberry willow SAPL2 Salix planifolia 36 (80) 9 (100) planeleaf willow SAWO Salix wolfii 52 (100) 51 (100) Wolf willow
422 Table 15-11. (Continued) Community Type A B Ccv (Con) Ccv (Con) Code Species N = 10 4 Common Name GRAMINOIDS ACHNA Achnatherum 8 (20) 1 (25) needlegrass AGROS2 Agrostis 13 (10) – – bentgrass CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis 19 (60) 34 (50) bluejoint reedgrass CAREX Carex 19 (10) – – sedge CAAL6 Carex albonigra 12 (30) – – blackhead sedge CAAQ Carex aquatilis 62 (100) 9 (75) water sedge CABE2 Carex bebbii 36 (20) – – Bebb's sedge CACA12 Carex capillaris 15 (10) – – hair sedge CADI6 Carex disperma 24 (10) – – soft leaved sedge CAEG Carex egglestonii 1 (20) 8 (25) Eggleston sedge CAFO3 Carex foenea 20 (10) – – silvertop sedge CASI2 Carex simulata – – 31 (25) short-beaked sedge CAUT Carex utriculata 3 (40) – – beaked sedge DECE Deschampsia cespitosa 12 (70) 19 (100) tufted hairgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus T (20) 1 (25) slender wheatgrass ELRE3 Elytrigia repens – – 5 (75) creeping quackgrass FEID Festuca idahoensis – – 16 (25) Idaho fescue JUARA4 Juncus arcticus ssp. ater 8 (50) – – Baltic rush LUPA4 Luzula parviflora 1 (20) T (25) millet woodrush FORBS ACLA5 Achillea lanulosa 2 (60) 8 (75) western yarrow ACCO4 Aconitum columbianum 3 (20) 9 (25) Columbian monkshood ASTER Aster – – 10 (25) aster ASSP16 Aster spathulatus 11 (20) – – western aster CACO6 Cardamine cordifolia 5 (20) 1 (25) heartleaf bittercress COSC2 Conioselinum scopulorum 4 (30) 7 (25) Rocky Mtn. hemlock-parsley ERIGE2 Erigeron 4 (10) 16 (50) fleabane FRVI Fragaria virginiana 3 (60) 7 (75) Virginia strawberry GEMA4 Geum macrophyllum 3 (50) 1 (25) large-leaved avens MECI3 Mertensia ciliata 6 (10) 28 (25) mountain bluebells MIGU Mimulus guttatus 10 (10) – – common monkey flower MIPE Mitella pentandra 25 (10) – – five-stamen miterwort OSCH Osmorhiza chilensis 4 (50) 1 (25) sweet cicely OXFE Oxypolis fendleri 10 (10) – – Fendler cowbane PEGR2 Pedicularis groenlandica 6 (70) 3 (25) elephantella POFO Polemonium foliosissimum 10 (10) – – sky pilot POPU3 Polemonium pulcherrimum 2 (20) 4 (25) Jacob's ladder POGR9 Potentilla gracilis – – 11 (25) northwest cinquefoil PSLE Psychrophila leptosepala 22 (20) 2 (50) elkslip marsh-marigold SENEC Senecio 10 (30) 1 (25) groundsel SETR Senecio triangularis 25 (10) 4 (25) arrowleaf groundsel SINE3 Sidalcea neomexicana 30 (10) – – New Mexican checker mallow SWPE Swertia perennis 11 (20) – – star gentian TAOF Taraxacum officinale 1 (60) 15 (75) common dandelion THAL Thalictrum alpinum 5 (10) 5 (50) alpine meadow-rue THFE Thalictrum fendleri 6 (20) 13 (50) Fendler meadow-rue VAED Valeriana edulis 7 (40) 12 (25) edible valerian VIOLA Viola 4 (20) 4 (50) violet FERNS & FERN-ALLIES EQAR Equisetum arvense 6 (30) 2 (25) field horsetail GROUND COVER .BARESO bare soil 100 (10) 6 (50) .LITTER litter and duff 96 (80) 96 (100) GRAVEL gravel 0.2-10 cm – – .COBBLE cobble 10-25 cm – – – – .STONES stone > 25 cm – – – – .MOSSON moss on soil 36 (50) 11 (50) LICHENS lichens on soil – –
423 RI6 PEFL15/FEID SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL–COLLUVIAL OR ALLUVIAL SOILS–PARKS AND SWALES Shrubby cinquefoil/Idaho fescue–Moderately deep colluvial to alluvial clayey Cryoborolls– Linear to concave to U-shaped footslopes and draw bottoms, 9,000-10,800 ft
Dominated by Shrubby Cinquefoil
Old channels Water table Riparian Area
Figure 15-4. Cross-section of vegetation structure of Shrubby cinquefoil– Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales.
Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils– bare soil in these stands and removed soil-binding Parks and swales is found occasionally in parks species such as willows and wet sedges. The result and swales in deep rainshadows. In the Gunnison was an abrupt drop in water table which eliminated Basin, this type occurs in moist rocky bottoms, the remaining willows. So it is likely that these benches, and slopes. This type is also known from communities are permanent disclimaxes to another throughout the Rocky Mountains from western riparian type, planeleaf willow/water sedge. Montana (Hansen and others 1988) and western However, I choose to maintain this as a separate Wyoming and eastern Idaho, and through the Ecological Type in spite of these indications for the mountains of northwestern Colorado. All of these following reasons: descriptions to date have been from rainshadow climates. • The plant association of this ET has been described elsewhere as “climax” (Mueggler Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils– and Stewart 1980, Tweit and Houston 1980). Parks and swales is characterized by shrubby • This community would be more difficult to key cinquefoil (PEFL15), Idaho fescue (FEID) or Rocky out as a Community Type than as an Mountain fescue (FESA), and yarrow (ACLA5); see Ecological Type. Table 15-15 for common species names and codes. Restoration of this type to a riparian willow Other distinguishing features include deep-Mollic community would require considerable time, Cryoborolls with much organic matter and location money and energy on the part of resource in deep rainshadows. Landforms and soils in the managers. “ecological type” are closely similar to those of earlier seral stages of Planeleaf willow/water The plant association Pentaphylloides sedge–Cold deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. floribunda/Festuca idahoensis has been described by Tweit and Houston (1980) and Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils– Mueggler and Stewart (1980). Parks and swales occurs primarily in deep rainshadows on coarser soils, and lacks willows and Spruce riparian forests occur on adjacent wet sedges entirely. In my opinion, Shrubby higher-gradient sites upstream and downstream. cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and Cold, moist spruce-fir forests adjoin this type on swales represents an earlier seral stage (Fig. 15-1B, steep slopes with much better-drained soils. Fig. 15-4) of Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold Thurber fescue grasslands border this type on deep alluvial soils–Bottoms. The dominance by deeper, loamier, better-drained uplands. increasers and invaders in this shrubby cinquefoil Horizontal obstruction is uniformly community indicates that it is probably the result moderately low to moderate, all within 1 meter of disturbance. Because of the dry climate in of the surface. Hiding cover potential for deer rainshadows, evaporation is significant, making and elk is low to moderately low. Sometimes willow stands there more susceptible to reduction deer bed in these communities, but otherwise in water tables. deer and elk are seldom seen in these sites. The sites of Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or None of the sites are usable winter range. alluvial soils–Parks and swales all occur in parks Deer use of Community Type A and B is low in and swales where considerable, concentrated winter and moderately low in spring through livestock grazing has occurred in past decades. fall; elk use is always low. Deer and elk use of Heavy use seems to have increased the amount of Community Type C is always low.
424 Summary of Ecological Type Characteristics 1. Explanation of symbols in Appendix A. Percentages in [brackets] indicate the percentage of plots sampled that have that characteristic.
NUMBER OF SAMPLES 10, soil descriptions from 2 of these (total 10) ELEVATION 9,768 ft (9,080-10,760 ft); 2,977 m (2,767-3,279 m) AVERAGE ASPECT 207°M (r = 0.20) LITHOLOGY A wide variety FORMATIONS ¹A wide variety LANDFORMS Soil creep slopes [90%] and draws [10%] SLOPE POSITIONS Footslopes [70%] and toeslopes [30%] SLOPE SHAPES Usually concave at least vertically, sometimes U-shaped SLOPE ANGLE 12.2% (3-47%) SOIL PARENT MATERIAL Colluvium [77%] or alluvium [23%] COARSE FRAGMENTS 4.6% (0-18%) cover on surface, 42.4% (32-53%) by volume in soil SOIL DEPTH 54 cm (52-56 cm); 21.3 in (20-22 in) MOLLIC THICKNESS 25 cm (22-28 cm); 9.8 in (9-11 in) TEXTURE Surface is Loam-clay loam-silt loam; subsurface is clay-clay loam-sandy clay SOIL CLASSIFICATION All Cryoborolls, some Argic [40%], Moderately deep TOTAL LIVE COVER 184.3% (110.8-311.0%) NUMBER OF SPECIES 26.3 (12-41) TOTAL LIVE COVER/NO. SPECIES 8.6% (3.0-19.8%) CLIMATE Cold, moderately dry Subalpine climate. WATER Water table usually far below the surface (Fig. 15-4).
Table 15-12. Wildlife values (relative to the whole UGB) for the principal wildlife species using Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales. “|” means the same as above. Mule Deer Elk CT Season–Preference Season–Preference Winter, Any– Low Winter, Any– Low A, B Spring/Fall– Mod. Low (Overnight) Spring/Fall–Low Winter, Any– Low C | Spring/Fall–Low (Overnight)
425 Key to Community Types 1. Kentucky bluegrass (POPR) prominent and >20% cover. Shrubby cinquefoil sharing dominance with one or more sagebrush species (ARTRV, ARAR8, ARCA13)...... A 1. Kentucky bluegrass absent or very minor, usually <5% cover. Shrubby cinquefoil the leading shrub (more cover than any others...... (2)
2. Idaho fescue (FEID) prominent, >10% cover, often >30% ...... B 2. Idaho fescue absent to <10% cover ...... C
Description of Community Types A Kentucky bluegrass-shrubby cinquefoil is dominated by lush growth of Kentucky bluegrass, 20-100% cover. Shrubby cinquefoil, 10-25% cover, is codominant with one or more sagebrush species, 20-40% cover. Elk sedge (CAGE2) is sometimes prominent. B Shrubby cinquefoil-Idaho fescue-yarrow is dominated by shrubby cinquefoil, 10-20% cover, and Idaho fescue, 10-45% cover. Kentucky bluegrass and elk sedge are absent or minor. C Shrubby cinquefoil-dry grasses and forbs is dominated by shrubby cinquefoil with a variety of dry grasses and forbs, such as Thurber fescue (FETH), Rocky Mountain fescue (FESA), or muttongrass (POFE).
Table 15-13. Community types within Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales. Obstruct’n %: Surface Cover, %: Prod.¹, 1.5-2.0 m es Coarseness, % Coarse, % Avg Trees No. Species lb/ac/yr 1.0-1.5 m Depth, cm Bare, % Layr Shrubs Total Live Shrubs 0.5-1.0 m Community sampl Elevation, ft Mollic Depth, Seral Layer Height, Cvr Graminoids Cover, % Gramin. 0.0-0.5 m Type No. Slope, % cm Stage Lr m % Forbs TLC/NS, % Forbs Total<2m A. Kentucky 2 (0-6) * 5 16 (12-19) 617-1288 bluegrass- 9,407 (9,080-9,620) 53 (41-65) 3 * 14 (2-14) * 272 (237-311) 972-1551 * shrubby 15.0 (10-23) 143 (105-170) * EM 17.0 (14.0-19.8) 56-374 cinquefoil 74 (26-110) B. Shrubby 0 0 (0-0) cinquefoil- 32 1 (1-1) S1 0.5 (0.3-0.8) 28 35 (27-41) 164-218 0 10,277 (10,030-10,760) GF 0.2 (0.0-0.6) 91 18 (15-20) Idaho 3 56 16 (6-25) 154 (111-228) 303-1137 5 4.8 (3-7) S2 Missing M 78 (47-118) fescue- 22 EM 4.4 (3.0-6.2) 74-253 95 L 0.0 16 58 (40-91) yarrow 25 0 C. Shrubby 0 (0-0) 53 8 (2-18) S1 0.5 (0.3-0.7) 38 27 (22-40) 22-1531 0 cinquefoil-dry 9,658 (9,200-10,165) GF 0.4 (0.0-0.8) 89 38 (2-75) 4 52 21 (6-60) 142 (113-185) 229-637 5 grasses and 15.7 (3-47) S2 0.1 (0.0-0.3) 1 55 (37-79) 28 ES 5.3 (4.6-6.7) 40-180 80 forbs L Missing M 49 (17-77) 21 *. Unknown: measurements were not taken in this CT.
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Table 15-14. Resource Values for Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales. Resource values were calculated from the numbers in Table 15-13, relative to the whole UGB. The numbers in this table can be translated: 0 = Very Low, 1 = Low, 2 = Moderately Low, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Moderately High, 5 = High, and 6 = Very High. Community Type Community Type Resource Value A B C Resource Value A B C Potential Cattle Forage Production 3-4 2-4 1-2 Deer & Elk Forage & Browse 1-2 1-2 1-2 Grazing Suitability 3 3 2 Need for Watershed Protection 2 2 2 Wetland No No No Soil Stability 3 3 3 Riparian Area No No No Risk of Soil Loss-Natural 3 3 3 Developed Recreation 2 2 2 Risk of Soil Loss-Management 3-4 3-4 3-4 Dispersed Recreation 2 2 2 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Range 2-3 2-3 3-4 Scenic 1-2 1-2 1-2 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Wildlife 1-2 1-2 1-2 Road & Trail Stability 2-3 2-3 2-3 Resource Cost of Management 4 4 4 Construction Suitability 2 2 2 Cost of Rehabilitation 3-5 3-5 3-5 Deer & Elk Hiding Cover 2-3 2-3 2-3
A shrubby cinquefoil stand in Cold Spring Park belonging to the For comparison, notice the similarity between the picture on the left Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales and this early seral stage of Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold type (Community Type C), with no sign of willows. This stand, and deep alluvial soils–Bottoms (Community Type C), with dominance the many like it, are not definitely assignable to any riparian type, by shrubby cinquefoil (dull purplish brown shrub) with a few so I have created a type for these cinquefoil-dominated stands. planeleaf willows (orange shrub), and some less-wet species such Based on soils, it is fairly certain that these belong to one or as tufted hairgrass. This site has been moderately to moderately another of the planeleaf willow-Wolf willow types. Rocky Mountain heavily grazed for many years. Baltic rush 63% cover, planeleaf fescue 33%, shrubby cinquefoil 29%, Thurber fescue 27%, prairie willow 38%, tufted hairgrass 36%, western Indian paintbrush 33%, smoke 15%. Coarse Fragments Cover = 8%, Total Live Cover = shrubby cinquefoil 15%, bluejoint reedgrass 13%, bog birch 11%, 185%, Coarse Fragments in Soil = 42. Soil sampled as an Argic barrenground willow 3%, water sedge 2%. Coarse Fragments Cryoboroll, Clayey-Skeletal, Montmorillonitic – probably used to be Cover = 3%, Total Live Cover = 231%, Coarse Fragments in Soil = an Histosol. Cold Spring Park Quadrangle, elevation 10,165 ft, 4% 39. Soil sampled as an Histic Cryaquoll. Gothic Quadrangle, 056° (NE) slope. September 20, 1994. elevation 9,540 ft, 1.8% 074° (E) slope. September 27, 1994.
427 Table 15-15. Common Species in Shrubby cinquefoil–Colluvial or alluvial soils–Parks and swales, where Characteristic cover > 10% or Constancy > 20%. "–" means that the species is not found. Dead cover is not listed. Ccv = Characteristic Cover, Con = Constancy. If Avc = Average Cover, then these are related using the formula Avc = Ccv•100%/Con. Community Type A B C Ccv (Con) Ccv (Con) Ccv (Con) Code Species N = 3 3 4 Common Name SHRUBS ARAR8 Artemisia arbuscula 40 (33) – – – – low sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 25 (67) – – T (25) mountain big sagebrush PEFL15 Pentaphylloides floribunda 13 (100) 17 (100) 37 (100) shrubby cinquefoil ROWO Rosa woodsii 15 (33) – – 5 (25) Woods rose GRAMINOIDS ACPI2 Achnatherum pinetorum 10 (33) – – – – pine needlegrass AGSC5 Agrostis scabra – – 2 (67) 1 (25) rough bentgrass BRCA10 Bromopsis canadensis 5 (33) – – 1 (25) fringed brome BRPO5 Bromopsis porteri – – 10 (33) – – nodding brome CAGE2 Carex geyeri 35 (67) 1 (67) 6 (50) elk sedge CAOB4 Carex obtusata – – 40 (33) 11 (25) blunt sedge DAIN Danthonia intermedia – – 2 (67) – – timber oatgrass DAPA2 Danthonia parryi 35 (33) – – T (25) Parry oatgrass DECE Deschampsia cespitosa – – – – 3 (50) tufted hairgrass ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 5 (67) – – 2 (50) bottlebrush squirreltail ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus – – 4 (33) 1 (50) slender wheatgrass ELRE3 Elytrigia repens – – 1 (33) 3 (25) creeping quackgrass FEID Festuca idahoensis 10 (33) 32 (100) 1 (75) Idaho fescue FESA Festuca saximontana – – – – 33 (25) Rocky Mountain fescue FETH Festuca thurberi 15 (67) 11 (67) 34 (50) Thurber fescue JUARA4 Juncus arcticus ssp. ater 10 (33) – – – – Baltic rush KOMA Koeleria macrantha 5 (33) 3 (33) 3 (50) prairie junegrass POFE Poa fendleriana 20 (33) 19 (67) 30 (50) muttongrass POPR Poa pratensis 73 (100) – – – – Kentucky bluegrass FORBS ACLA5 Achillea lanulosa 10 (33) 4 (100) 5 (100) western yarrow AGGL Agoseris glauca – – 2 (67) 1 (50) false-dandelion AMLA6 Amerosedum lanceolatum – – T (67) – – yellow stonecrop ANRO2 Antennaria rosea 20 (33) 2 (67) 2 (25) rose pussytoes ASAL7 Astragalus alpinus – – 12 (33) 8 (25) alpine milkvetch BODR Boechera drummondii – – 1 (67) T (25) false-arabis CARO2 Campanula rotundifolia – – T (33) 15 (25) common harebell CEFO2 Cerastium fontanum – – 4 (100) – – mouse-ear CISC3 Cirsium scopulorum – – 3 (33) 2 (50) Alpine thistle DEIN5 Descurainia incana – – T (33) 1 (50) Richardson tansy mustard ERCO24 Eremogone congesta 28 (67) – – – – desert sandwort ERFL Erigeron flagellaris – – – – 25 (25) trailing fleabane ERSP4 Erigeron speciosus 10 (67) 5 (67) – – Oregon fleabane ERSU11 Eriogonum subalpinum 5 (67) – – 6 (25) sulfurflower ERTR19 Erythrocoma triflora – – 5 (67) 10 (50) prairie smoke FRVI Fragaria virginiana – – 2 (67) T (25) Virginia strawberry GASE6 Galium septentrionale – – 2 (33) 5 (25) northern bedstraw GADR3 Gastrolychnis drummondii – – T (67) T (25) alpine campion GEAC2 Gentianella acuta – – 2 (33) 1 (25) little gentian HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa – – – – 2 (75) hairy golden aster IRMI Iris missouriensis 5 (67) T (33) – – wild iris NOMO2 Noccaea montana – – T (33) T (25) candytuft ORALP Oreoxis alpina ssp. puberulenta – – 30 (33) – – alpine-parsely PEGR2 Pedicularis groenlandica – – T (33) 2 (25) elephantella PNAF Pneumonanthe affinis – – T (67) 1 (25) bottle gentian POFO Polemonium foliosissimum – – 17 (33) – – sky pilot PODO4 Polygonum douglasii – – T (67) – – Douglas knotweed POHI6 Potentilla hippiana – – 6 (33) 3 (100) horse cinquefoil POPU9 Potentilla pulcherrima 20 (33) T (33) 3 (50) beauty cinquefoil PSMO Pseudocymopterus montanus – – 3 (33) T (25) mountain parsely SEDE2 Selaginella densa – – T (33) T (25) little club-moss SEIN2 Senecio integerrimus – – 2 (67) 2 (25) lambs-tongue groundsel TAOF Taraxacum officinale 35 (67) 4 (67) 16 (50) common dandelion THMO6 Thermopsis montana 5 (33) – – 1 (25) golden banner VIAD Viola adunca – – T (33) 1 (25) hook violet GROUND COVER .BARESO bare soil 14 (33) 16 (100) 21 (100) .LITTER litter and duff 81 (33) 81 (100) 71 (100) GRAVEL gravel 0.2-10 cm – – 3 .COBBLE cobble 10-25 cm – – – – 2 (25) .STONES stone > 25 cm – – – – – – .MOSSON moss on soil – – 1 (33) – – LICHENS lichens on soil – 9 6
428 RI7 SAPL2/PSLE PLANELEAF WILLOW/MARSH-MARIGOLD–COLD, WET YOUNG SOILS–HIGH BOTTOMS Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cryaquepts–Concave footslopes and lower backslopes, > 11,500 ft
Figure 15-5. Cross-section of vegetation structure of Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold– Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms. The tallest shrub layer typically averages 1.6 ft tall. Aspects are non-northerly, and slope angles average 12%.
Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet In early midseral to midseral stages, the site is young soils–High bottoms is an uncommon type dominated by patchy willow cover (<50% across on high-elevation bottoms and footslopes. Soils are the site), consisting of a mix of willows and shrubby cold to very cold. It occurs on upper Subalpine cinquefoil (PEFL15) . There is little to no streamsides and moist gentle slopes in the reproduction of planeleaf or Wolf willow. Small Gunnison Basin. This type is apparently only patches of water sedge (CAAQ), tufted hairgrass known from west-central Colorado. Planeleaf (DECE), reedgrass (CACA4), and moist-site forbs willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet young soils– occur in low bottom microsites, but higher High bottoms is characterized by planeleaf willow microsites support sagebrush, shrubby cinquefoil, (SAPL2), marsh-marigold (PSLE) and mountain bluegrass, dandelion, and dryland forbs. The water bluebells (MECI3); see Table 15-19 for common table is high in spring and remains high enough species names and codes. Other distinguishing through summer and fall to keep the small, lowest features include location in upper-Subalpine moist microsites wet all year. riparian areas and Cryaquepts. In late midseral to potential natural community Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet stages, willow cover is >65% across the site and is young soils–High bottoms is closely related to continuous except in the wettest patches, which are Planeleaf willow/water sedge–Cold deep alluvial uniformly dominated by water sedge, reedgrass, soils–Bottoms, which occurs at lower elevations on and other wet-site plants. Sagebrush, cinquefoil, somewhat warmer, less coarse soils. Floristically, Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, and dandelion are they are very similar, except that the former lacks usually absent. The water table is high throughout water sedge and other wet-site sedges. the year, maintaining standing water in the lowest The plant association Salix planifolia/ microsites through the growing season. Psychrophila leptosepala has been described by Spruce riparian forests adjoin this type on Hess (1982) and Johnston (1987). higher-gradient sites upstream and downstream. Succession usually involves vegetation, land, Cold, moist spruce-fir forests occur on adjacent water, and soil. Because of the cold climate, these steep slopes with much better-drained soils. sites are usually distinguishable as riparian Thurber fescue grasslands border this type on communities even in early seral stages. In very deeper, loamier, better-drained uplands. early seral to early seral stages, there are no shrubs, These sites are unsuitable as cattle range. or dryland shrubs such as mountain big sagebrush Horizontal obstruction has not yet been measured, (ARTRV) or silver sagebrush (ARCA13) dominate, but it is likely to be moderately high. Deer and elk with an understory of exotic bottomland species use these stands, which are located high in their such as Kentucky bluegrass (POPR), dandelion summer ranges. Deer and elk use of all community (TAOF), Baltic rush (JUAR3), native dryland grasses, types is low in the winter, and moderately low and assorted dryland forbs. The water table is spring through fall for cover and browse, and usually low in summer and fall. forage for elk. The later-seral sites would make good moose habitat.
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Table 15-16. Wildlife values (relative to the whole UGB) for the principal wildlife species using Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms. CT Mule Deer Season–Preference Elk Season–Preference Winter, Any– Very Low Winter, Any– Very Low All Spring/Fall– Mod. Low (Cover, Browse) Spring/Fall– Mod. Low (Cover, Browse, Forage)
Summary of Ecological Type Characteristics 1. Explanation of symbols in Appendix A. Percentages in [brackets] indicate the percentage of plots sampled that have that characteristic.
NUMBER OF SAMPLES 2, soil descriptions from neither of these (total 2) ELEVATION 11,963 ft (11,640-12,285 ft); 3,646 m (3,548-3,744 m) AVERAGE ASPECT 207°M (r = 0.20) LITHOLOGY Granite, rhyolite, breccia FORMATIONS¹ Xg, Tiql, Tpl LANDFORMS Soil creep slopes [60%] and swales [40%] SLOPE POSITIONS Footslopes and lower backslopes SLOPE SHAPES Always concave at least vertically SLOPE ANGLE 3.9% (3-4%) SOIL PARENT MATERIAL Colluvium COARSE FRAGMENTS 1% cover on surface TOTAL LIVE COVER 154.8% (139.8-169.8%) NUMBER OF SPECIES 27.5 (26-29) TOTAL LIVE COVER/NO. SPECIES 5.7% (4.8-6.5%) CLIMATE Cold, moist to wet, upper Subalpine-lower Alpine. WATER Water is in liquid form very little of the year, and only a fraction of the day.
A typical planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold stand in the upper Subalpine Zone, forming the ecotone with the Alpine Zone just above. Nearly complete cover by planeleaf willow. West Elk Peak Quadrangle, elevation 11,640 ft, 3.5% SE-facing slope. August 28, 1982.
430 Community Type A Planeleaf willow-sparse marsh-marigold-sparse bluebells has planeleaf willow dominant, 90-100% cover. There are few other shrubs, and the herbaceous understory is moderately sparse: there are few understory species >10% cover.
Table 15-17. Community types within Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms. Obstruct’n %: Surface Cover, %: Prod.¹, 1.5-2.0 m es Coarseness, % Coarse, % Avg Trees No. Species lb/ac/yr 1.0-1.5 m Depth, cm Bare, % Layr Shrubs Total Live Shrubs 0.5-1.0 m Community sampl Elevation, ft Mollic Depth, Seral Layer Height, Cvr Graminoids Cover, % Gramin. 0.0-0.5 m Type No. Slope, % cm Stage Lr m % Forbs TLC/NS, % Forbs Total<2m A. Planeleaf willow-sparse 0 (0-0) * 1 28 (26-29) 1967-1967 marsh- 11,963 (11,640-12,285) 100 (100-100) 2 33 (20-46) 5 * 155 (140-170) 5-96 * marigold- 3.9 (3-4) 8 (1-16) 0 (0-0) 5.7 (4.8-6.5) 73-102 sparse 47 (39-54) bluebells *. Unknown: measurements were not taken in this CT.
Table 15-18. Resource Values for Planeleaf willow/marsh- marigold–Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms. Resource values were calculated from the numbers in Table 15-17, relative to the whole UGB. The numbers in this table can be translated: 0 = Very Low, 1 = Low, 2 = Moderately Low, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Moderately High, 5 = High, and 6 = Very High. Community Type Resource Value A Potential Cattle Forage Production 0-1 Grazing Suitability ns¹ Wetland Yes Riparian Area Yes Developed Recreation ns¹ Dispersed Recreation 0-1 Scenic 4-5 Road & Trail Stability 0-1 Construction Suitability ns¹ Deer & Elk Hiding Cover 4 Deer & Elk Forage & Browse 3-4 Need for Watershed Protection 4-5 Soil Stability 2-3 Risk of Soil Loss-Natural 2-3 Risk of Soil Loss-Management 5-6 Risk of Permanent Depletion-Range ns¹ Risk of Permanent Depletion-Wildlife 3-4 Resource Cost of Management 5-6 Cost of Rehabilitation 5 1. ns = Not suitable.
431 Table 15-19. Common Species in Planeleaf willow/marsh-marigold–Cold, wet young soils–High bottoms, where Characteristic cover > 10% or Constancy > 20%. "–" means that the species is not found. Dead cover is not listed. Ccv = Characteristic Cover, Con = Constancy. If Avc = Average Cover, then these are related using the formula Avc = Ccv•100%/Con.
Community Type A Ccv (Con) Code Species N = 2 Common Name SHRUBS SAGL Salix glauca 2 (50) grayleaf willow SAPL2 Salix planifolia 99 (100) planeleaf willow GRAMINOIDS AGME3 Agrostis mertensii T (50) Arctic bentgrass JUDR Juncus drummondii T (50) Drummond rush JUME3 Juncus mertensianus 15 (50) blackheaded rush LUPA4 Luzula parviflora T (50) millet woodrush POCU3 Poa cusickii T (50) bluegrass POLE2 Poa leptocoma T (50) bog bluegrass TRSP2 Trisetum spicatum T (50) spike trisetum TRWO3 Trisetum wolfii T (50) Wolf trisetum FORBS ACLA5 Achillea lanulosa T (50) western yarrow ACROT Acomastylis rossii ssp. turbinata 3 (50) alpine avens ACCO4 Aconitum columbianum 3 (50) Columbian monkshood ANNAZ3 Anemonastrum narcissiflorum ssp. zephyrum 15 (50) narcissus anemone ARLO6 Arnica longifolia 2 (50) longleaf arnica ARSC Artemisia scopulorum 5 (50) alpine sagebrush BIBI5 Bistorta bistortoides T (50) American bistort BIVI2 Bistorta vivipara T (50) viviparous bistort CACO6 Cardamine cordifolia 4 (50) heartleaf bittercress CAOC4 Castilleja occidentalis 3 (50) paintbrush CARH4 Castilleja rhexifolia 4 (50) splitleaf paintbrush DRAL4 Draba albertina T (50) hairy whitlow-wort EPSA Epilobium saximontanum 2 (50) Rocky Mountain willow-herb ERSI3 Erigeron simplex 5 (50) one-stemmed fleabane ERSU2 Erigeron subtrinervis T (50) threenerve fleabane LIBIH Ligularia bigelovii var. hallii 3 (50) Bigelow groundsel LLSE Lloydia serotina T (50) alp lily MECI3 Mertensia ciliata 2 (100) mountain bluebells MIOD2 Micranthes odontoloma 5 (50) brook saxifrage MIRH Micranthes rhomboidea T (50) diamond-leaf saxifrage OSDE Osmorhiza depauperata T (50) sweet cicely PEGR2 Pedicularis groenlandica T (50) elephantella POEA Podistera eastwoodiae T (50) Eastwood's podistera PODI2 Potentilla diversifolia 2 (50) varileaf cinquefoil PRPA Primula parryi 2 (50) Parry's primrose PSLE Psychrophila leptosepala 4 (100) elkslip marsh-marigold RHIN11 Rhodiola integrifolia T (50) king's crown SETR Senecio triangularis 4 (50) arrowleaf groundsel SIPR Sibbaldia procumbens 3 (50) creeping sibbaldia STLO2 Stellaria longipes T (50) long-stalked stitchwort STUM Stellaria umbellata 2 (50) umbellate starwort SWPE Swertia perennis 2 (50) star gentian TRPA5 Trifolium parryi 5 (50) Parry clover VACAA Valeriana capitata ssp. acutiloba 2 (50) sharpleaf valerian VENU2 Veronica nutans T (50) American alpine speedwell GROUND COVER .BARESO bare soil 5 (50) .LITTER litter and duff 96 (100) GRAVEL gravel 0.2-10 cm – .COBBLE cobble 10-25 cm – – .STONES stone > 25 cm – – .MOSSON moss on soil – – LICHENS lichens on soil 10
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